ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. –Miss New York Kira Kazantsev was named the new Miss America Sunday night, marking the third year in a row that a contestant from her state has walked away with the crown in the nationally televised pageant.
Kazantsev received the crown at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall from outgoing Miss America – and Miss New York – Nina Davuluri.
For her talent performance, Kazantsev sang Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” while sitting cross-legged on the stage and banging a red plastic cup on the floor.
She named combating sexual assault in the military as the issue about which she would want female U.S. Senators to press their male counterparts.
The first runner-up was Miss Virginia Courtney Paige Garrett.
Other top 5 finalists were Miss Arkansas Ashton Jo Campbell; Miss Florida Victoria Cowen; and Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn.
Miss North Dakota, Jacky Arness was chosen by her peers as Miss Congeniality.